Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

Cyanide of Mercury Hg(CN) 2 . Twenty minims of a 1% solution given
intravenously three times a week or applied externally.
Mercurated asses’ milk.
Sulphide. Hydrargyri Sulphidum Rubrum
Bromide
Iodide (Hydrargyri Iodidum Rubrum - HgI 2 also as ointment) or as a mixture with
arsenic - Liquor Arsenii et Hydrargryri Iodidi.
Mercurous nitrate Hg 2 (NO 3 ) 2 Ungentum Hydrargyri Nitratis Dilutum
Organic compounds: Phenylhydragyri nitras, merthiolate (Sodium ethyl
mercurithiosalicylate), mercuhydrin, mercurophylline
Benjamin Bell said ‘…The preparations of mercury are accordingly very
numerous: upwards of five hundred might be enumerated.’ The main chemicals
have different ADRs, but have been merged for the table.
Methods of treatment: fumigation, friction, clyster (enema), suppositories
(Suppositoria Hydrargyri), plaister (Emplastrum Hydrargi), internally (pills, drops,
etc.). Injections: subcutaneous introduced in 1863, intramuscular introduced in 1886,
intravenous introduced in 1896. Any one patient might have a combination of these
methods.
Combinations with other treatments: antimony from 2500 BC, opium, lignum
vitae (Guaiaci lignum) introduced in 1517, China root Smilax sinensuis brought by
the Portuguese from Goa in 1535, Sarsaparilla from Smilax Ornata (Decoct Sarsæ
Co. Con) already in use in 1537, Mezereon from Daphne mezereon, which is very
toxic, Sassafras (Sassafras officinale), potassium iodide (KI) introduced 1835,
bismuth (introduced 1884), sulphur, Atoxyl introduced in 1863 alternating with
mercury over 13 weeks, arsphenamine introduced in 1910.
Doses: titration to salivation. There was a tendency to reduce the dose over the
centuries, but during the 19 th century the dosage increased (Tiles & Wallach, 1996).
Hydragyri Oxidum Rubrum 5 grains (325 mgm), Calomel 5 grains (325 mgm).
Seven or eight Blue pills per day. Lewin quotes the use of 500 G daily of Mercurial
ointment.
Diseases treated: hysteria, intestinal manifestations and obstructions, scrofula,
infertility, asthma, elephantiasis, scorbutic ulcer, psoriasis, impetigo, leprosy, palsy,
cancer, gout, scabies, lichen planus, obstructions of the liver, torpidity of the liver,
women’s disorders, the green sickness, dripping urine, calculi, and for killing lice and
fleas (Lev & Amar, 2008).
Duration (courses): mercurial plasters every 2–3 days, inunction with mercurial
liniment for 15–31 days; Zittmann’s for ten days; Fournier in 1890 advised treatment
spread out over two years. Mercury ointment ½ʓ over 3–5 days; mercury ointment
in a hot room for 20–30 days; for at least 100 days; until cured. The duration
depended on the severity of the lesions and it would appear that there was a wide
variation of individual choices.